The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1887-04-08

The Proper TRAINING OF AaRIeULrt-
Rrsrs.-We have often been asked The
qnestion-Why should tho 'sgrieulturisls
know moro than other people 2 They cot
tainly should, for in our country they h,ys
moro 70 do than other olssscs . greater
multiplicity Of pursuits are here crowded
Into the planters calling than 10, any, oshjr
occupation. ,,Thsy have 70 mako moro use
Of the powsrsior laws Of nature. shan oil.
sr,:: They are forced to 1ss the .slensnts
- tools. They are practical ohsmistt,
whether aware q II or not, for sheyi max y
use Of the ysriou, subsiap ccs ass which nl-
turs gives them, xhiehsshsy combine, ssS
arate, modify and change 10 'ssinplos shh
compounds. The plantation is at one and
the same time, a laboratory aud work
shop; aud in proportion as thoy operate in
such way as to afford the several elements
OF which the substances are composed, and
upon which they are operating, to diuunits
or combine as will be the measure of their
success. They depend ups. the vegetable
world for ubsistencs-their labor is amone
aud upon tho plants of the earth, aud tho
shonld know the proper name and nature Sf
every tree, herb and plant. They have to
contend with insects and auimals-lhsy
should know the habits and nature of these
more intimately than any other GLASS Of
peoplo-they have to till the earth, and
put its soil into a proper condition to pro-
ducs agood crop. They have to change
its natural state to adapt it to the various
purposes and crops-then, why should they
not know moro and better respecting the
ingredients Of their soils, and the various
mineral and fsssil substances which, thsy
may wish to appropriate to their use. Z
They have to discern the faos of the sky
watch the changes Of the atmosphere, and
regulate their movements in accordance
with those changes, temperature, and all
the climatic fluctuations. Why, then,
should they not know as much, or more, of
the composition of the air, or atmosphere,
and the science of meteorology, than any
other people They must uso all tho va
rious tools and implements of labor-they
must take advantage Of the, principles Of
nschanics, and tho application of maths. |
nstics 10 pracsloI 1ifss 70 thufs, ,- my ny good
reason why they should not know as much
or even more than others, respecting me.
ohanical science or natural philosophy In
this country thoy have to contribute largely
to the support and formation of the Gov
ernment, and upon them depends tho sclsc-
tion of the rulers and lawmakers. Why,
then, should they not understand the fun
damental principles Of national law, politi-
cal science and political economy2 They
have TO administer to tho sickness of ami
mails under their charge. heal wounds and
restore health. Why, then, should they
not perfectly understand comparative ana
tony, at least-and, also, physiology, as well
as the symptoms and treatment. of diseases
Indeed, SO wide is the field of the agricul.
turist; so extensive his labors, 50 numerou,
the objects with which he IS connected, SO
various the operations he has to perform,
that we verify believehe should be the bes.
educated and best informed man upon the
earth. Can man conquer, or make him
self perfectly familiar with every science
and anything2 By no means yet, never
theless, hc should have his mind so we'll
stored with tho general principles of all the
sciences, that he can be guided by them
when it becomes necessary to learn more
minutely, and to know when he employs a
man devoted particularly to any one branch.
whether he is competent to the task, and
will discharge his duty to him with fidelity
and precision.